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Mike Shields tapped as RNC chief of staff

Mike Shields, the political director of the National Republican Congressional Committee, has been tapped as the new chief of staff to the Republican National Committee as the official party conducts a review of what went wrong for the GOP during the 2012 election cycle, POLITICO has learned.

Shields will replace Jeff Larson, whom RNC chairman Reince Priebus brought in shortly after his election in 2011. Larson will remain on as a senior advisor.

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Priebus praised Shields in a statement, saying, “Mike brings a wealth of political experience with him to the RNC, having worked on the Hill and in the field, for national committees and at the state level. We’re excited to welcome him to the team as the RNC takes our positive message of opportunity to every voter in every neighborhood.”

The move means Shields will be in charge at a time when the results of that review, called the “Growth and Opportunity Project,” will come in sometime later next month.

Shields, a well-regarded operative whose name was said to be among those considered for executive director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, emphasized catching up and trying to surpass the Democrats’ digital edge for 2016.

“To position ourselves for 2016, we must leapfrog the Democrats’ digital and data capabilities. It’s absolutely essential for our party to be the leaders in campaign technology,” he said in a statement.

Shields is a Louisiana native who was involved in the Republicans’ successful efforts to reclaim the House in 2010. He worked as communications director for Newt Gingrich in his political office when he was House speaker, and worked with him at his private firm after Gingrich left Congress.

He also was chief of staff to Rep. Dave Reichert (R-Wash.) before joining the NRCC.